Coaching for Leaders

Latest Episodes:

701: How to Handle High-Pressure Situations, with Dan Dworkis Sep 30, 2024

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Dan Dworkis: The Emergency Mind Dan Dworkis is Chief Medical Officer at The Mission Critical Team Institute. He's an emergency physician who helps individuals and teams apply knowledge under extreme pressure and perform at their best when it matters the most. He is the author of The Emergency Mind: Wiring Your Brain for Performance Under Pressure*. Every leader, at least occasionally, faces emergencies. In an emergency, the only way out is through. In this conversation, Dan and I explore the mindsets and tactics that will help us handle the most difficult situations. Key Points Emergencies are not just worse bad days. They are liminal — the only way out is through. Apply graduated pressure. Never allow suffering to be wasted. By going a bit slower, you notice where and why failures happen. Label an emergency with language that both recognizes the urgency of the situation and your faith in the team to resolve it. The room is always smarter than any one person in it. Tell people what problem they are working and your confidence level in it. Staying cool under pressure is not a fixed personality trait. You can get better by noticing and experimenting with what works for you (and doesn’t) to handle high-pressure situations. Experience makes working under pressure easier, but you still need to practice for it. Notice what’s effective (and not) in past and new situations before you experiment. Use situations in everyday life (a hard workout, an angry customer, getting cut off in traffic) to train yourself for responding in the toughest situations. Resources Mentioned The Emergency Mind: Wiring Your Brain for Performance Under Pressure* by Dan Dworkis Interview Notes Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required). Related Episodes How to Become the Person You Want to Be, with James Clear (episode 376) How to Build Psychological Safety, with Amy Edmondson (episode 404) How to Prevent a Team From Repeating Mistakes, with Robert “Cujo” Teschner (episode 660) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

700: Three People Who Will Help You Grow, with Andrew C.M. Cooper Sep 23, 2024

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Andrew C.M. Cooper: The Ethical Imperative Andrew C.M. Cooper is an executive leader and apologist for compassionate business practices. He led as a history-making first Millennial and Black executive to serve as General Counsel of UPS Airlines, the world’s largest logistics airline with over 20,000 employees. His team was essential to the success of Operation Warp Speed, the United States’ pandemic vaccine relief effort. He's the author of The Ethical Imperative: Leading with Conscience to Shape the Future of Business*. We all know the power of relationships to help us grow. However, we don’t always seek out some of the non-traditional relationships that might help most. In this conversation, Andrew and I discuss three types of people we often overlook that will help us grow. Key Points Many of us invest in organic, traditional relationships. Those are important, but not sufficient in such a dynamic world. Invest 30% of your time into relationships that will add skills, knowledge, or insights you can’t develop yourself. Shifters observe well, read between the lines, and help us adapt in uncertain and changing situations. Connectors will help your expand professional affiliations. Having a connector in your corner can be as helpful as being a connector yourself. People who first appear as sharks may be benevolent antagonists. Listen for what others around them say to determine who might challenge you in healthy ways. Resources Mentioned The Ethical Imperative: Leading with Conscience to Shape the Future of Business* by Andrew C.M. Cooper Interview Notes Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required). Related Episodes How to Strengthen Your Network, with Marissa King (episode 525) How to Build a Network While Still Doing Everything Else, with Ruth Gotian (episode 591) How to Recognize Remarkable People, with Guy Kawasaki (episode 671) Production Credit Coaching for Leaders is edited by Andrew Kroeger. Production support is provided by Sierra Priest. Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

699: How to Respond When You Don’t Have Resources, with Laura West Sep 21, 2024

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Laura West: Coaching for Leaders Fellow Laura West is a seasoned leader and researcher with many years experience executing and training others in data analysis and strategy. She's led large teams across several organizations, holds a Ph.D. in linguistics, and is an alum of the Coaching for Leaders Academy. She was selected as one of our new Coaching for Leaders fellows and has taken on a leadership role in supporting our current Academy members. What do you do when you get a request from a stakeholder, but don’t have the resources to fulfill it? That’s a reality almost every leader faces. In this conversation, Laura and I discuss both the mindset and tactics that will help you respond well. Key Points Rather than an immediate “no,” spend an hour working through some steps to creatively problem solve around the request. Show your work. When you respond, share who you’ve talked with and what’s already been considered to respond to the request. Present options by summarizing 2-4 paths forward and your recommendations. Be the data person. Highlight trends over time that help influence different business decisions and maintain your credibility. Prioritize. But tell, don’t ask. Take the lead on identifying what’s important on behalf of the stakeholder and begin the work. Resources Mentioned Responding to Stakeholder Requests With Limited Resources by Laura West (free membership required) Related Episodes The Way to Turn Followers Into Leaders, with David Marquet (episode 241) How to Start Managing Up, with Tom Henschel (episode 433) The Way to Influence Executives, with Nancy Duarte (episode 450) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

698: How to Structure 1:1 Meetings, with Steven Rogelberg Sep 16, 2024

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Steven Rogelberg: Glad We Met Steven Rogelberg is an organizational psychologist, holding the title of Chancellor’s Professor at UNC Charlotte for distinguished national, international and interdisciplinary contributions. He is an award-winning teacher and recipient of the Humboldt Award for his research on meetings. He is the author of Glad We Met: The Art and Science of 1:1 Meetings*. Many us appreciate the value of 1:1 meetings with employees. For a lot of managers, it’s one of their biggest time commitments. And yet, nobody ever taught us how to do it. In this conversation, Steven and I discuss how to actually structure an effective 1:1. Key Points First and foremost, a 1:1 meeting is for the direct report. A set schedule for 1:1’s with your team reduces bias by ensuring you connect with everyone, consistently. A loose framework is better than a lock-step agenda. Two approaches help: the manager proposing a core question or listing out topics that the direct report brings. Avoid status update meetings by articulating the purpose of 1:1’s and dedicating agenda time (or future meetings) to bigger picture topics. Skip-level 1:1’s are valuable for both employees and senior leaders. Avoid undermining another leader by approaching the meeting with the mindset to support the employee, rather than making decisions. Resources Mentioned Glad We Met: The Art and Science of 1:1 Meetings* by Steven Rogelberg Interview Notes Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required). Related Episodes How to Lead Meetings That Get Results, with Mamie Kanfer Stewart (episode 358) Moving Towards Meetings of Significance, with Seth Godin (episode 632) Bringing Your Strengths to a Big Job, with General CQ Brown, Jr. (episode 691) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

697: How to Keep Improving, with Maurice Ashley Sep 09, 2024

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Maurice Ashley: Move by Move Maurice Ashley is a Chess Grandmaster, an ESPN commentator, a three-time national championship coach, and an author. In 1999 he earned the title of Chess Grandmaster, making him the first Black Grandmaster in the game’s history, and in 2016 he was inducted into the US Chess Hall of Fame. He's the author of Move by Move: Life Lessons on and off the Chessboard*. There was a time that you could get a degree or a certification and you’ve be set on your learning for awhile. Those days are long gone. With change happening at the speed of thought, we must keep improving. In this conversation, Maurice and I discuss the mindsets and tactics that will help you keep growing. Key Points Jazz artists don’t think about each note, but instinctively know how to make beautiful music. The best chess players are like this. Elite performers constantly look for ways to cultivate the beginner’s mindset. Chess players who pay attention to the endgame are less likely to get caught up only in the tactics. The most vulnerable time for a chess player is when they have a big lead. Poor performers avoid spending time with their mistakes. The best players learn from them through debrief. Determine in advance where you need to stay hyper-focused. Temper overconfidence by posing additional in-game challenges for yourself and your team. Resources Mentioned Move by Move: Life Lessons on and off the Chessboard* by Maurice Ashley Interview Notes Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required). Related Episodes How to Actually Move Numbers, with Chris McChesney (episode 294) How to Prevent a Team From Repeating Mistakes, with Robert “Cujo” Teschner (episode 660) How to Grow From Your Errors, with Amy Edmondson (episode 663) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

696: The Habits That Hold Leaders Back, with Marshall Goldsmith Sep 02, 2024

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Marshall Goldsmith: What Got You Here Won’t Get You There Marshall Goldsmith is one of the world’s leading executive coaches. He's written 56 books, selling over 3 million copies, including 8 bestsellers and 4 New York Times bestsellers. He's been ranked twice by Thinkers50 as the #1 leadership thinker in the world and ranked the #1 executive coach in the world for over a decade. Marshall’s most popular book is What Got You Here Won't Get You There: How Successful People Become Even More Successful*. In this episode, Marshall and I explore the key lessons from this iconic book and the most common habits that hold leaders back. Key Points The superstition trap: I behave this way and I am successful, therefore I am successful because I behave this way. The higher you go, the more your problems are behavioral. Winning too much is a trap for successful people. Ask yourself, “Is it worth it?” Be aware that your suggestions become orders. Avoid starting your responses with “no,” “but,” or “however.” It’s hard to hear things we already know. We are not here on Earth to prove how smart we are. Help more, judge less. We all reinforce people who reinforce us. We hate obvious suck-ups, but not the good ones. The good suck-ups can easily fool the best leaders. Beware an excessive need to “be me.” Instead, be who you want and need to be. Resources Mentioned What Got You Here Won't Get You There: How Successful People Become Even More Successful* by Marshall Goldsmith MarshallGoldsmith.ai Interview Notes Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required). Related Episodes The Way to Be More Self-Aware, with Tasha Eurich (episode 442) The Power of Courage in Leadership Growth, with Jorge Alzate (episode 611) What Vulnerable Leadership Sounds Like, with Jacob Morgan (episode 648) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

695: Team Collaboration Supports Growth Mindset, with Mary Murphy Aug 26, 2024

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Mary Murphy: Cultures of Growth Mary Murphy is Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Indiana University. She is also Founding Director of the Summer Institute on Diversity at the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University and founder and CEO of the Equity Accelerator, a research and consulting organization that works with schools and companies to create more equitable learning and working environments. She is the author of Cultures of Growth: How the New Science of Mindset Can Transform Individuals, Teams, and Organizations*. Many of us have heard the distinction between a fixed and a growth mindset. Turns out it’s more of a both/and, especially with our teams. In this conversation, Mary and I discuss how team collaboration can support a growth mindset. Key Points Nobody has only a fixed or a growth mindset. While we may favor one, all of us shift between them. Team culture is so powerful that it can either block or encourage a growth mindset. Mindset doesn't just affect perceptions and behaviors, it shapes the bottom line. To support collaboration, begin with a cues audit. Consider starting with affinity groups. It’s misperception that cultures of growth are less data-centric than cultures of genius. The opposite is actually true. Don’t eliminate competition, recast it. Consider how incentives align with supporting others and the organization as a whole. Yes, share outcomes -- and also include the distance traveled to achieve them. This supports a culture of growth. Traditional rating systems, especially forced-rankings, often reinforce cultures of genius. Resources Mentioned Cultures of Growth: How the New Science of Mindset Can Transform Individuals, Teams, and Organizations* by Mary Murphy Culture Cues Assessment Interview Notes Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required). Related Episodes Growth Mindset Helps You Rise From the Ashes, with Jeff Hittenberger (episode 326) How to Build Psychological Safety, with Amy Edmondson (episode 404) Help Your Team Embrace Growth Mindset, with Eduardo Briceño (episode 644) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

694: The Neurodiversity Edge in Organizations, with Maureen Dunne Aug 19, 2024

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Maureen Dunne: The Neurodiversity Edge Maureen Dunne is a cognitive scientist, neurodiversity expert, global keynote speaker, board director, and business leader with over two decades of experience helping organizations build thriving cultures. She has served as a Senior Advisor to some of the world's top organization, including the LEGO Foundation, Cornell University, and Members of Congress. She is the author of The Neurodiversity Edge: The Essential Guide to Embracing Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, and Other Neurological Differences for Any Organization*. We often don’t notice our deeply held biases — and there’s certainly bias against neurodiversity. In this conversation, Maureen and I discuss the research, mindsets, and contributions relevant to neurodiversity. Plus, how neurodiversity can provide an edge for almost every organization. Key Points We often don’t see our deeply held biases. As one example, we assume that north is “up” on maps and globes, even though that’s only a construct. Research and estimates vary, but at least 20% of the population is neurodivergent. Divergent bees in hives find new sources of honey. Instead of viewing neurodivergence from a deficit-based perspective, use a strengths-based approach. Intellectual capability is entirely independent of having a neurodivergent profile. Rather than maintaining accommodations for “quirky people,” move towards a norm of universal accommodations that benefit the entire employee population. Resources Mentioned The Neurodiversity Edge: The Essential Guide to Embracing Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, and Other Neurological Differences for Any Organization* by Maureen Dunne Interview Notes Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required). Related Episodes How to Begin Difficult Conversations About Race, with Kwame Christian (episode 594) Supporting Return to Work After Maternity Leave, with Danna Greenberg (episode 639) How to Be a Better Ally, with Lauren Wesley Wilson (episode 675) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

693: An Invitation for Kindness in Leadership, with James Rhee Aug 12, 2024

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James Rhee: Red Helicopter James Rhee is a former high school teacher and Harvard Law School graduate who became a private equity investor and unexpectedly an acclaimed CEO. He bridges math with emotions by marrying capital with purpose, while composing systems that bridge peoples, disciplines, and ideas. James is the author of Red Helicopter: Lead Change With Kindness (Plus a Little Math)*. Bad news: leaders are often the ones who make the rules that prevent kindness. Good news: leaders are also the ones who can change the rules. In this conversation, James and I explore how leadership (and results) improve when kindness is at the center of our work. Key Points We all know the power of intuitive, childhood truths. Leaders should champion these, even if that means challenging the establishment. Brené Brown says, “Clear is kind.” Clarity emerges by also ensuring an alignment with reality by leveraging math. Kindness is not random or entertaining. It’s an intentional, consistent practice. Leaders make the rules that encumber kindness — and they have the capacity to change those rules. The cost centers of an organization are a creative opportunity for kindness. Resources Mentioned Red Helicopter: Lead Change With Kindness (Plus a Little Math)* by James Rhee Arirang Amazing Grace for a Red Helicopter Interview Notes Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required). Related Episodes How to Create Meaningful Gatherings, with Priya Parker (episode 395) How Leaders Build, with Guy Raz (episode 491) The Power of Leadership Through Hospitality, with Will Guidara (episode 688) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

692: Transcend Leadership Struggles Through Your Strengths, with Lisa Cummings Aug 05, 2024

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Lisa Cummings: Lead Through Strengths Lisa Cummings is the founder of Lead Through Strengths, a firm supporting building strengths into your team's culture. She's also the host of the Lead Through Strengths podcast. Lisa is a Gallup-certified strengths coach and has trained over 20,000 people in 14 countries. Today, she facilitates offsites and retreats to help leaders and their teams go deep on utilizing their strengths well. When challenges arise in leadership, we sometimes miss what’s right in front of us. In this conversation, Lisa and I discuss how to zero in on your core strengths and utilize them to address new challenges that arise. Key Points Lisa began her StrengthsFinder journey through the First Break All the Rules book. Dave began his with the Soar With Your Strengths book. Many of us value what we’ve worked hardest to achieve, but those areas aren’t typically our core strengths. The talents appearing on the bottom of your StrengthsFinder assessment are the approaches that tend to drain you and lead to burnout. It’s helpful to focus on removing blind spots. Those are most often hidden in our top strengths. When new leadership issues come up, aim your top strengths at them. Often, there’s an opportunity to reframe challenges in the context of your strengths. Resources Mentioned CliftonStrengths (formerly StrengthsFinder) assessment StrengthsFinder Talents overview by Lisa Cummings Contact Lisa for a question or workshop Related Episodes How Teams Use StrengthsFinder Results, with Lisa Cummings (episode 293) Craft a Career to Fit Your Strengths, with Scott Anthony Barlow (episode 424) Bringing Your Strengths to a Big Job, with General CQ Brown, Jr. (episode 691) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

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